Celebrity Antique Roadtrip Drop In To My Shop To Film......With Edwina Curry.

I decided to open the shop Saturday last 25th May, as there was a massive commemoration to honour the part Liverpool played in the Battle of the Atlantic.

So I get in and put my lights on and a board out in Water Street and my mobile rings.
“Oh hi it’s the BBC we will be with you just after eleven”
“What for” I asked as I didn’t have a clue
“Antique Road Trip”

“Oh right” I said as I realised I didn’t even have a shave and I realised I wasn’t looking my best. Surely they could have let me know and I would have made an effort, but there you go we can manage this lack of oversight that makes the usual lack of planning that the BBC undertake, look efficient.

I found a razor and s destubbled my chin and had a little tidy around. It wasn’t bad and its something I can take care of. It was after 12 and I sent a text to check I have the right day receiving the usual we are a little bit delayed.
I had been going to pen a letter to the Antique Trade gazette complaining how the glut of programmes are not helping the trade when the phone rang some weeks ago.

“Hi Wayne its Celebrity Antique Road Trip we would like to film in your shop”

“Where do you want me?” I said ashamedly capitulating to the power of the media.

Now here I am standing in front of the washroom mirror with a head like a burst couch and a hangover after a late night in Alma De Cuba in Seal Street regretting it.
“Who is the celebrity? “ I had asked and the subject was surprisingly well dodged by Sandy on the other end of my mobile.
It was manic in the streets so I got them into the private garage that was half empty below the building and I went to greet them.

I recognise that face I thought as a woman walked towards me.

“Bloody ‘ell its Edwina Curry” I said under my breath as I greeted them all welcoming them to India Buildings.

Trust my flippin’ luck I thought she must be one of the most hated politicians in Liverpool.

 Most Liverpudlians have abandoned her saying she was from Crosby and that’s not really Liverpool. I will just have to get on with it I thought, but I am in for it when this programme goes out.

To commemorate the passing of Lady Thatcher I had a recent antique in the window to show my feelings towards her.

 I had been saving it for a special occassion.

Was this now, not looking in good taste or are we going to get into a bit of a ding-dong.

She was quite nice really I was surprised on how pleasant she was as they set up the gear and off we went.

They started looking around in cabinets and behind things and in no time at all “Whats this Wayne,” she said

I couldn’t believe it she had found an old 50’s corset that I had found in the bottom drawer of a cabinet, a Maccassar Ebony buffet and I had forgotten about it.
Trust her, no one has even noticed it before and off she went modelling it while I am standing there thinking I wish I had sent that letter in to the gazzette.

Then she tries it next to me for size to see if it fits.

“I can’t believe I have just let you do that,” I said. Thinking how am I going to retrieve my reputation after this.

Anyway in for a penny I threw in a pair of flapper girl garters that she loved and we were off, here is a cigarette holder while she pretended to blow smoke in my face I just stood there flabbergasted.

I don’t usually do cringe but I must have looked like I had been slapped.

Her and the BBC dealer who was a nice bloke doing his best to control her went off round the shop and we managed to calm her down.

It is a good job I had just moved house splitting with my ex-girlfriends because I wouldn’t be getting in tonight after having Egwina in the shop.

Then to make it worse she is kissing me goodbye on camera.

 My god those same lips have been all over John Major I thought as I tried to keep a straight face.

The things you have to do for publicity.

Next thing I am having my photo taken with her and she is going to tweet me will I ever live this down.

I think I will stay closed from now on of a Saturday.

I am going to be in a lot of trouble when this goes out which I think is September.

 

St Christophers Church-Art Deco Architecture In Liverpool

St Christopher’s Church

Lorenzo drive

Norris Green

Built 1930-33

At first glance this brick built church sitting on the edge of a busy traffic roundabout in Norris Green looks a little lost. It is hardly surprising out of the tens of thousands of cars that pass every day none find it worth stopping.

On closer inspection however a pleasant surprise awaits.

It is Grade II* listing a higher ranking in listing terms than many buildings held in the highest architectural regard within the City Centre.

The Architect was Bernard A. Miller B.Arch., A.R.I.B.A who trained at the Liverpool School of Architecture.

He was renowned for his progressive church design. He also taught at Liverpool.

Originally part of a Liverpool Corporation housing scheme for Norris Green the Liverpool School was employed to bring new building methods and cost effective pricing.

From its outset it was to be part of the community and with the children of the Diocese raising a substantial part of its costs some £3,000. It is correct that it was and is known locally as The Children’s Church. The names of many of those children are buried beneath stones in the courtyard between the Church and Church hall.

The planning and detail reflects the input of this community spirit and a Parish hall and school are connected to the church by a beautiful cloister garden.

The Church follows the traditional cruciform plan but was said in various articles at its time of build to be highly original. I am not sure how much of this was down to cost or a new radical approach required in 1933.
The architect Robert Atkinson had successfully employed the use of a steel frame as early as 1924 at St Catherine’s in Acton who experimented along with a stock brick carcass.

Inside Millers original compliment was the use of parabolic arches of steel frame and fibrous plaster. These leap from eight feet above floor level intersected by parabolic windows. The steel ribs project, dividing nave and sanctuary into bays.

This form does not create a true parabola as the crown is curved and the sides faceted which aid the acoustics.

This creates a light of air and spaciousness even though the height from floor to crown is only 28ft. This is also to be noted as the width of the nave.

No provision is made for processions; this is thought to be in the Protestant ideal.

Outside the lovely cloisters have a Portland stone pulpit sculpted by Mr Bainbridge Copnall.

External elevations show windows are metal casements some stone dressings but predominantly the church is built of Reading brick.

Original colour scheme of the interior was of Oyster grey; red and deep blue with gilded stars this has been changed in the 1960s.

From the eye of a carpenter the attention to detail is subtle but evident in its simplicity. The use of laminated ply and stainless steel. The Altar is modelled in Keene’s cement and fibrous plaster, with a Hopton wood stone base. The centre panel of the Raredos was a violet blue. The Alter cross is of stainless steel with an emerald green mounting. This was a radical and entertaining colour palette for the time.


The side chapel is dramatically placed below the level of the main floor and was originally painted in violet blue.

Lighting in the chancel is concealed and clever lighting has also been employed to throw light on the ceilings. Some of the light fittings almost look industrial compared to the French influence on the iron railings but blend well with the simple plywood chairs and fittings throughout.

The font has been unkindly described as looking more ‘ice cream parlour’ than our father being decorated in copper and blue mirror, which is applied to a star shaped design.

I think this is a wonderful church, quite undiscovered for its architectural merits except by a few.

It had been suggested in the 70s that it would be easier to knock the church down and convert the church hall into a dual-purpose building.

The then 30’s Society now The “20th Century Society helped in its listing, and grants from English heritage helped to bring it up to a standard that should help sustain its place in highlighting a new and exiting era for architects. The inter-war years. Modernism with all its forms and hybrids touched us all in different ways. The fabric of the building now seems in a good condition and we have to thank the parishioners who without their effort a wonderful piece of our not too distant past would not have a new lease of life.

Antique Road Trip-The BBC's David Harper Drops In.

Its been a while since they filmed in the shop for the BBC's Antique Road Trip but it looks like its going out on BBC1 the week starting Monday 4th February.

I had just come back from a buying trip in France, my own antique road trip and the BBC dropped in again, to do some more filming. This time for The Antique Road Trip.

As I had been in France the afternoon before they came into film, it was about 3 a.m in the morning that I got back to the shop and offloaded all my purchases.

 It had been a horrendous drive through the blistering rain and as they were coming early morning I slept in the shop waking up with a head like a burst couch I shuffled off to the washroom to try and throw some gel on my hair and try and make an effort. Lets make it look like I am making it a 40's style I thought trying to avert a bad hair day on the very day they will be filming for national TV.

. A good friend of mine called in to see how the trip had gone. Not bad I said maybe 80 new pieces of stock.

"When are the BBC coming in" he asked

"Any time now, they are running a bit late"

You are not going on the telly with you hair like that are you"

I could have killed him.

"Yes I am actually"

Realising he said oh it looks good "Yes, I said, good job I am pretty confident isn't it" I was very tired and in walks David bright and breezy having stayed in a comfy hotel around the corner, there is no justice I thought.

The format is pretty well recorded David buys a few bits from me that he then attempts to sell on at a local auction, which unfortunately may be Cato Crane's, and hopefully he makes a profit.

He is a dealer, of course, so he will be as hard a negotiator as the rest of us are. I was as helpful as I could be, but we seemed to get along well enough, I hope he makes a profit on the items he bought from me an goes on to win the challenge.  My trip to France meant I had  lots of new things in the shop www.classicartdeco.co.uk  and David was genuinely impressed by the shop. Have look by clicking on the link. Last time Eric Knowles was in filming for the same programme they cut it down so I am not sure how they will edit it but I can think of worst things to do.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b01qks76/  here is a link to the programme you may have to scroll around to watch the whole programme from the start. Liverpool is about 18 minutes in to the programme.

My Shop Gets A Mention In Private Eye

India Building has not been managed too well through the recession and the far reaching tentacles of Private Eye and in particular our friend 'Piloti' in the NOOKS AND CORNERS section does like to keep up to speed with whats happening in Liverpool.
Both myself and other concerned shopkeepers staged a protest to send a clear message to the owners Green Property that this is more than a investment for them they have a responsibility to people of Liverpool who have a huge amount of emotional attachment to the Historic India Buildings.
The shopkeepers in Holts Arcade have suffered from a lack of footfall and it has even had an impact on what I do, thanks to the Internet I have managed to keep sailing through, but I have tried to help my neighbour in the newsagents after he was told they wanted to close access to the public.
The strange coincidence that several bronze architectural fitments were illegally removed by the owners of this Grade II listed (hopefully soon to be upgraded to GradeII*) building.
click on pic to enlarge

This threw the wrath of the local press and especially Peter Elson the Liverpool Echo Shipping Correspondent, upon Green Property and its strange and illegal behaviour.
Allowing a building to deteriorate is not something they should now consider as an option after the people of Liverpool have sent a clear message to them and 1000 names have been collected on a petition to be delivered to the city council.
Holts Arcade was in fact built on Chorley Street and has been a public right of way for over a century.
 It would be really foolish for Green to consider closing it and denying the public access.
Here is a bit of the recent activity.
CBRE Liverpool and in particular John Lee the area manager of CBRE who may I say in my opinion, has ruined the whole ecosystem of a building that was, only, 10 years ago operating with 3500 people, but he saw off so many with such a bad style of management that it is now a building with about 400.
There is no coincidence that this, in my opinion, arrogant man set about bringing in a style that scared more people off.
CBRE and Mr Lee are the last people I would employ to manage a historic building and that is without even mentioning his hopeless lapdog Paul Jolley who was appointed by him to manage, just below him, and was so out of his depth that he had to walk around with a snorkel on.

Here are some recent press reports It made the front page of the Daily Post and pages in nthe Liverpool Echo
http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2012/11/22/future-of-india-buildings-in-doubt-after-liverpool-council-cautions-owners-over-illegal-removing-of-entrance-plaques-99623-32280635/


http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/11/22/fears-for-future-of-liverpool-s-landmark-india-buildings-100252-32281873/



http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2012/11/22/future-of-india-buildings-in-doubt-after-liverpool-council-cautions-owners-over-illegal-removing-of-entrance-plaques-99623-32280635/

Liverpool Bay TV http://www.baytvliverpool.co.uk/vod/?vid=JBV50b38ff3c9d65

Green then appointed Dougal Paver to try and get them out of the mess
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/11/23/u-turn-on-blunder-at-liverpool-s-india-buildings-100252-32290010/ 
But we have heard it all before several years ago John Lee used the building to promote himself.

Recent history has not been good for India Buildings.

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/2781-aib-funds-green-move-for-india-buildings.html


In 2008 http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/12/26/india-building-back-to-normal-100252-22552370/the building lurched into disaster and Green p[romised to sort it out.
http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/3148-cbre-advises-green-on-india-buildings-revand.html

Some saw this coming http://condensedthoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/answers-needed-over-india-buildings.html


http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/12/06/peaceful-protest-over-possible-closure-of-arcade-in-liverpool-s-india-buildings-100252-32371699/
Protest covered by Liverpool Echo

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/12/04/sit-in-to-save-liverpool-arcade-100252-32355765/
This was taken up as a news item and several featured spots on Radio Merseyside, but it is so important, the plight of one of Liverpools Historic buildings, that it has got to London and the satirical magazine of Private Eye. Well done 'Piloti'

I have just about managed to hold on to my pride in this magnificent structure where I spend a lot of my time and I hope this episode can now be put behind us and we can now work towards a future that respects the history and the past of the beautiful Travertine Marble Holts Arcade within the beautiful majesty of India Buildings.

Speke Airport-Art Deco Architecture In Liverpool

Speke Airport, Liverpool.


Written by Wayne Colquhoun

Opened on the 1st July 1933 by The Marquis of Londonderry, K.G Secretary of State for Air.
There were 100,000 visitors on that day watching the display in which 246 aircraft took part.
There was a landing competition whereby the pilot who got nearest to the landing mark with propellers stopped won.
It was referred to as the greatest air pageant of all time.
A number of airlines were operating regular services after the successful opening. Blackpool and West CoastAir Services commenced operations in 1933.
The first scheduled flight was Liverpool to Blackpool and the cost was 18/- which is 90p in today’s money.

The traffic built up steadily and it was found to be necessary to expand the facilities to meet this.
It was 1937 that the present tower was completed, the same year that Hanger no 1 came into operation.
In 1939 the Terminal building was completed. Just in time for the war and at this period additional metal hangers were installed along with other less rigid structures.

A.J.Cobham with Sir J. Burnet designed the Terminal.

The simple functional style of this building is what now makes it so interesting, with its central observation tower and its convex flanks all designed for functional use.
The way the airside elevation curves gently shows what a little extra work can mean to overall kindness on the eye.

In 1936 the 611-west Lancs squadron had moved to Speke. Military activity now outstripped civilian use.
During the war it became an important destination with its close proximity to the strategically placed port of Liverpool.
Many aircraft were flown in, dismantled and shipped as far afield as the Middle East.
The 60s saw great images of the Beatles landing at Speke after conquering the world with their music.
From the time that the new terminal opened …the building was well past its best but with listed status and the active encouragement of many individuals, campaigning to have it restored, work finally got underway and it is now a hotel.
A major reconstruction took place.
Sadly the original windows had to go. It was altered slightly, as this new use was requiring a functional modern space for the comfort of the hotel guests.

The outside is magnificent with a replica plane outside the main public entrance, which helps to conjure up the spirit of its age.

Unfortunatly the interior is a sad pastiche and may as well be a modern hotel with an authentic exterior.
The decoration and fittings do not seem to conjure up any of its original style except to those who do not really understand the period and style known as Art Deco.
There has also been a very sad plastic looking building erected within the grounds.
This is a café or a diner of some sort and this has spoilt the overall look of the site.
There are some wonderful details on the main gateposts and the downspouts are reproduced to the original design with airplane motifs. The hangers now take on contemporary uses such as a gym.
Another of the hangers has been used for the performing arts. The whole area has now made a dramatic transformation and a business estate is thought to be growing along with the expansion of the Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
The best views are taken from the back of the building, as it is right to assume that the main entrance was originally made with an entrance from the airside. It is easy to lose yourself just standing there. Imagining a long journey on a De-Haviland plane in the late 30s, then picking up you’re your leather luggage and heading off to the terminal for passport checks.
There are some of the best sunsets from the Mersey Estuary and it is the best time with the changing light to sit and think about all those glamorous 30s planes that would have taxi-ed down the runway is dusk.

©Copyright Wayne Colquhoun 2012

Julia Carter Preston Sgraffito Plate-Piece of the Week

Her Wheel Keeps On Turning.

I haven’t used it yet and it’s a bit old fashioned and cumbersome and I am used to using a Shimpo wheel but I will get around to setting it up and throwing pots on the wheel that Julia Carter Preston actually used.
It is nice to interact with her history by either owning some of Julia's work or as in my case using the actual tools that she used to create her sgraffito ware that she was famous for. Though she never exhibited at the V&A she was well known to the insular Liverpool crowd of art collectors.

Entering into her studio shortly after her sad death and taking out objects that were personally used by her has given me a detailed insight into her techniques and how she fired her pieces.
I actually don’t think I will try and emulate her works they are a little too feminine for my style but it is interesting relating backwards by seeing the glazes and oxides she used.
http://www.classicartdeco.co.uk/my-own-work.php I tend to want to create more classical shapes of which the job is still very much a work in progress but is coming along slowly but surely.

This groupment of objects left, just as she used them, gives you a real insight into how she arrived at her finished article, a little like looking at an equation for a mathematical answer. What good is the answer if you don’t know how it is arrived at?

Of course most of her clients who bought her work will have no concern about her use of lustre’s in any other way as a description but an inquisitive mind is always needed if you are to progress in any journey that involves building up a skill.

I only came across her occasionally at various openings and events and every time she extended an invitation to call in for tea and I never did, although I extended an invitation to Peter Elson who jumped in like a long lost friend and did an article about her treasure trove of artefact's antiques and mementos of a life in Liverpool http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-culture/2007/10/08/the-potters-wheel-keeps-on-turning-64375-19912267/  It is a shame he never took up the campaign to save Julia's Uncles The Herbert Tyson Smith studio in the Bluecoat when it was under threat.
http://waynecolquhoun.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/herbert-tyson-smith-bronze-piece-of-week.html see previous post


With a reputation of the daughter of a father who was a rather good sculptor and medallist.
The Edward Carter Preston name can be seen in cartouche on the Bronze plaque, the death plaque from the First World War, that he designed, that was given to next of kin as a memory of the part played by so many brave soldiers who lost their lives in the name of  Britain and the cause of Freedom
We have yet to see a full exhibition of his work other than small accumulations on occasional show, but when we do we will be able to understand him more and know how his daughter had to grow up in an environment of creativity in a more gentler age.
She didn’t really need the money and she didn’t charge a lot but her reputation was slightly diminished by allowing herself to be pushed into an exhibition of work that was previously rejected.
Her gallery took the short-term commission and have irrevocably damaged her reputation in exhibiting later work that was inferior.
 It may have been her elderly status and the need to create that kept her going. But it seems the gallery pushed her to into selling seconds after her prices raced up after a mention by one of the pumpkins on the Antique Road show, who said she was one for the future.

I stood while a queue formed at a Private View at the Bluecoat Display Centre and there was actually a scrum to get in and the rush of red labels that were stuck to her work surprised me especially as they were some warped and badly decorated pieces flying off the shelves.
I stood with Julia while a woman ran around with a tile in her hand shouting, “I have got a rabbit, I have got a rabbit”

Julia turned to me and said “Stupid woman that is a Hare….it just shows you how much she knows”

That summed that particular exhibition up for me.

The undeserving who didn’t know what they were looking at were now her principal patrons of her work taking it out of the range of those people who actually enjoyed her for her skillful but laid back approach of which she leaves us a legacy of a body of work that will if exhibited correctly by the now trustees of her collection Hope University in Liverpool.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/in-the-mix/2012/02/04/julia-carter-preston-part-of-liverpool-artistic-dynasty-100252-30262161/

A lot of he work was to commission. For those who own a piece of her work, treasure it, she really did make it for you with a lot of skill and care that will see he name grow in the eyes of collectors both here in Liverpool and much further afield.

Art Deco Architecture In Liverpool-Littlewoods Building Edge Lane

The Littlewoods Pools Headquarters

Edge Hill, Liverpool

A fine example of Art Deco architecture and important in Liverpool’s history both to its commercial, and wartime efforts.

The building sits on a plateau on one of the highest points in Liverpool. Edge Hill.
It is not far from the city centre.

It is almost cathedralesque with its central clock tower flanked by two wings.

There is a glass roof to let in the daylight this combined with the full size windows must have been a pleasure to work in, especially in comparison to working conditions elsewhere at the time it was built. It still is today.

Its simple form and clean lines give it that ocean liner style which was so wonderfully fresh and new at the time of construction. This was as cool as you could get.

Its new and fresh style must have been commissioned to be symbolic of the company’s intentions. John Moore’s himself along with his brother Cecil will have given the go ahead to build.

The views of this glowing white art deco building striding Edge Hill are best taken from Botanic Park where its boldness can be appreciated. Because of the park restraining other development, it has held its character intact and not changed since construction.

How lucky to watch the sun swing around the pure white and simple lines against the green and plush parkland. Is this Liverpool or Miami?

It does not have the polychrome decoration like The Hoover building.

Its beauty is in its simplicity and clean lines and it’s setting.
It was commisioned by the wealthiest individual in the United Kingdom, who he started his business selling shoelaces in Dale St before forming his pools’ empire. He never abandoned the city of Liverpool and lived on the outskirts until his death.

This building is mentioned in Pevsners South Lancashire volume on pg. 220. Pevsner refers to Wavertree Park off Edge Lane, very large symmetrical building of Littlewoods.
All square but still classically committed.

Pevsner did not refer to that many, what we now call Art Deco buildings

This really is a truly a wonderful building and he had the foresight to see its beauty a long time before it was fashionable.

It is now rotting and in a perilous state after several failed attempts to restore it.

Update      It has now been set on fire......Only in Liverpool.